Biology PhD - Scientific Coder - AI Trainer
mercorSan Diego (CA)
About the role
Mercor is hiring PhD and Master's scientists to author AI evaluation tasks (Sci Code)Mercor is partnering with leading AI labs on a new benchmark for scientific computing. You will author original, executable research problems that today's frontier models cannot solve. Domains — depth required in at least two subdomains (with a coding focus)Biology — ecology, biochemistry, genetics
What you'll do:
Source your own material: a published paper, a Kaggle dataset, an open-source repository, or a scenario you design Write scientific prompts based on the input Build the grading criteria that define a correct answer Calibrate against frontier models — a task ships only when strong models fail it more often than they succeed Required PhD in biology, biological sciences, biochemistry, genetics, ecology, or a closely related field Demonstrated depth in at least two of the following subdomains: ecology, biochemistry, genetics Working proficiency in Python, R, or another relevant programming language for scientific computing Comfortable with Git/Git Hub and running code in Docker — authoring runs through a pull-request workflow with automated quality checks Preferred Publications in peer-reviewed journals Prior scientific software or research engineering experience Engagement
Duration: 6 weeks Commitment: part-time, 20+ hours per week
Start date:
immediate ProcessA 25-minute conversational interview covering your background, experience, and motivations Follow up within a few days with next steps and onboarding
Before you apply
Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.
Your profile is current
It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.
Two examples you can talk through
Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.
A number in mind
What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.
Your notice period
Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.
Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.
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